Why is technology mean to me?

'It is never easy to re-examine one's fundamental convictions, but now I am forced to question my previous disbelief in the existence of Satan,' writes New York Times columnist David Brooks. 'I am compelled to confront this ugly possibility by the fact that from time to time my electronic devices seem to fall under demonic possession.' [Sam Whitney/The New York Times]

It is never easy to reexamine one's fundamental convictions, but now I am forced to question my previous disbelief in the existence of Satan. I am compelled to confront this ugly possibility by the fact that from time to time my electronic devices seem to fall under demonic possession.

Now, I should start by saying that I am not someone with a natural animosity toward personal technology. I have been known to be completely reasonable when the supermarket self-checkout machines refuse to let me proceed until I place my last purchased item into the bagging area. I patiently explain, sometimes with dramatic physical reenactments, that, in fact, I have placed the product directly in the center of the bagging area, and even into a bag itself.

Despite these kinds of sympathetic efforts, technology finds me wanting; I am disfavored within the silicon-based community, and the...

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